Continuity, Change or Coevalness: Charismatic Christianity and Tradition in Contemporary Tanzania

This paper explores parallels and dynamic interplays between charismatic Christianity (Pentecostalism and Lutheran charsismatic revivalism) and «traditional» understandings of mysterious power as related to an occult sphere in Iringa, a regional capital of South Central Tanzania. . I discuss how notions of mystic power as constructive, defensive and necessary yet also dangerous and potentially destructive are adopted into and partly transformed by charismatic discourses on the realm of darkness and related ritual practices of empowerment, rupture and spiritual struggle. Attempting to move beyond a rigid continuity-discontinuity dichotomy I suggest that the relationship between Pentecostal-charismatic Christianity and traditional religion/ culture may better be grasped in terms of coevalness, intersections and ongoing mutual influence than temporalising difference.